These Are the Best Vitamin C Serums with Ferulic Acid
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If someone were to ask me what the hottest skincare ingredients were right now, I’d call out retinol and peptides. And vitamin C would certainly be in the mix—thanks to its free radical-neutralizing prowess, it’s a notable favorite among skincare experts and enthusiasts. “When it comes to the skin, it helps to protect the skin against oxidative stress that may come from environmental factors to prevent signs of skin aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and pigmentation. Vitamin C can also help to brighten the skin, improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and can also help to support collagen production,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.
The problem with vitamin C is that it’s often unstable; when exposed to the elements, its efficacy quickly decreases. Once the vitamin C inside your favorite face serum has been destroyed, you might as well be rubbing water on your face—it’s not really doing anything you want it to. Thankfully, many of the best vitamin C serums with ferulic acid utilize the acid to help stabilize vitamin C and boost its anti-aging effects. “Ferulic acid is also a potent antioxidant, so when combined with vitamin C, the range of free radicals neutralized broadens, enhancing protection against damaging UV rays and environmental stressors,” explains Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology and the founder of AziMD Skincare.
We took a peek inside our own medicine cabinets, spoke to the above dermatologists, and read through a legion of customer reviews to compile the 10 best vitamin C serums with ferulic acid. Brighter, smoother skin, here you come.
C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals was one of the first to popularize the vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid combo, and we’re not afraid to say that its formula still reigns supreme. “This tried-and-true serum helps to protect the skin against oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals. The combination works to keep the formula stable and effective. It helps to brighten the skin, improve skin tone, and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while improving and preventing the signs of sun damage,” says Dr. Garshick. What more can you ask for?
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The legendary Skinceuticals C E Ferulic had been at the top of my wishlist for years. When it finally landed in my hands, I was afraid I’d love it. I’m sad to say that my fears came true. That C E Ferulic glow everyone talks about? It’s real. Beyond the serum’s brightening effects, my skin felt like it was moisturized inside and out—just from a few drops of this precious elixir.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
C E Ferulic
dermstore.com
$182.00
C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
This pick from the TikTok-viral brand ensures stability with the addition of ferulic acid and guarantees freshness by allowing you to activate the serum yourself. The liquid serum and the vitamin C powder come separately, and once you mix them together, they maintain efficacy for up to six months.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E
Size: 0.94 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve tried many vitamin C serums, but I always come back to the Drunk Elephant C-Firma serum. My skin is noticeably more radiant when I use it, and it also does wonders for evening my skin tone. Since vitamin C is a notoriously unstable skincare ingredient, I like that you mix this one yourself—it ensures the freshest formula.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
amazon.com
$73.90
C15 Super Booster
Paula’s Choice’s second-best-selling product recently got an internal makeover. If you have sensitive skin, you may have felt a tingling sensation with the previous version; the scientists behind the brand worked hard to solve that issue. They also added ergothioneine, which helps address dark spots, and peptides for a plumping effect. If you need more convincing, the serum is clinically proven to increase skin’s glow within 15 minutes.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, ergothioneine, peptides
Size: 0.67 fl. oz.
Paula’s Choice rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This vitamin C serum is unlike any other that I’ve tried. It has all of the ingredients and benefits I want, plus the least sticky finish I’ve ever seen. Plus a note to those who abhor the ‘hot dog water’ scent that many vitamin Cs have: this one barely has an aroma, but it does smell faintly of orange juice.”—Carol Lee
C15 Super Booster
paulaschoice.com
$46.75
Super C Ferulic
If you’re a vitamin C serum veteran who’s ready for the good stuff, you’re in for a treat—this is Medik8’s most potent iteration, with a whopping 30 percent vitamin C. It’s strong enough to take on years of damage, and it has a non-greasy, cosmetically elegant formula.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E, turmeric root extract
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Medik8 rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Medik8 reviewer says: “The liquid peptides got me hooked on this brand, so when they launched the Super C Ferulic acid, I was excited to try. The product is strong, so I was wary, but it works well with my sensitive skin. My skin is definitely brighter and has a more even tone.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director
Super C Ferulic
medik8.com
$74.00
Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid
Don’t let the lower price tag fool you—this serum visibly brightens and evens out the complexion with consistent use. Two to three pumps in the morning is all it takes!
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
Size: 1 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “From the first application, I can see the difference in my skin luminescence. It’s amazing, and I paid full price for the product. I’ll definitely keep using it and recommend it. The price is outstanding, and it’s fragrance free. It absorbs quickly and works well with my sunblock and my makeup.”
Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid
amazon.com
$19.99
Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum
This pick from Maelove has all the makings of a superior vitamin C formula, plus a bevy of soothing and nourishing ingredients like aloe, and magnolia. “It also incorporates hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin, leaving the skin looking healthy and refreshed,” says Dr. Garshick.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Maelove rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Maelove reviewer says: “I absolutely love this vitamin C serum! Love how it’s a high percentage and feels so nice on my skin. It gives a very natural glow to my complexion while protecting from free radicals. Also, you can’t beat the price for the type of quality you are getting!”
Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum
maelove.com
$32.95
VCE CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex 20%
Perricone MD prides itself on its innovative and potent formulas, and the proof is in this serum. Fans of the formula have seen their skin transform and appear smoother, brighter, and more even-toned with use, and they keep coming back for more.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E
Size: 2 fl. oz.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I’m in my forties and have had melasma ever since my first pregnancy. It gets worse in the summer months. This really helps to take down the dark spots. It started fading them within a couple weeks. I started applying this every morning, it became part of my routine, and I haven’t been as frustrated with my spots. I am now able to hide them easier with concealer because they have lightened so much, and friends don’t even notice that I have melasma, when I mention it.”
VCE CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex 20%
ulta.com
$159.00
Vitamin C Face Serum
MadHippie’s vitamin C serum helps reverse sun damage for all skin types. However, the inclusion of clary sage, which helps balance sebum production, makes the formula especially helpful for oily or acne-prone skin.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, clary sage, chamomile extract, konjac root
Size: 1.02 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product has become a must-have staple of my bathroom. It brightens and tightens and smells amazing. A little goes a long way.”
Vitamin C Face Serum
amazon.com
$23.63
10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
Like many of the other vitamin C serums on this curated list, this one from Farmacy contains L-ascorbic acid, which is known for its higher efficacy. While that particular form of vitamin C is quite unstable, the ferulic acid helps extend its lifetime of it, as so does the lack of water in this formula.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, alpha-arbutin
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Farmacy rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Farmacy reviewer says: “I love the way this feels on my skin! It’s not overly drying. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and so smooth.”
10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum
farmacybeauty.com
$52.00
Vitamin C Serum
We all know that supporting the skin barrier is one of the best—if not the best—thing you can do for your skin, and this serum contains probiotics in order to do just that. Of course, it also contains plenty of antioxidants that brighten, help minimize free radical damage, and encourage collagen production.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, probiotics
Size: 1.01 oz.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I have been using Pixi Vitamin C serum for 2 years…it is my favorite! After consistent use, your skin will glow! It is really great for acne scars left behind. Looks great under makeup and blends into the skin very smoothly.”
Vitamin C Serum
ulta.com
$24.00
Meet the Experts
Dr. Marisa Garshick is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology and the founder of AziMD Skincare.
Who should use a vitamin C serum?
According to Dr. Garshick, anyone can use it, especially those who want to “prevent or treat signs of skin aging” or are looking to get rid of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. And Dr. Shirazi strongly recommends incorporating one into your daily routine if you haven’t already by the age of 25.
What is the best way to apply a vitamin C serum?
You can apply it in the morning and evenings, but if we had to choose, we’d suggest the former, since it helps bolster protection against UV rays. “I suggest applying it after cleansing and before moisturizing,” says Dr. Shirazi.
She also warns against trying another powerful active (like a retinoid) at the same time. “The combination can cause irritation, particularly with higher concentrations of L-ascorbic acid, the active form of Vitamin C. Allow your skin to become acclimated to one or the other,” she explains.
Why Trust Elle Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted dermatologists about vitamin c serums and ferulic acid. She also searched the internet for top-rated vitamin c serums with ferulic acid, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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